_2020 UPDATE:_ *DO NOT! I REPEAT, DO NOT ATTEMPT WHAT IS SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO. EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND DAMAGING TO YOUR CAR. CONTROL ARMS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO HOLD SUCH WEIGHT. YOUR CAR WILL NOT SWAY OR TIP OVER IF YOU PLACE BLOCKS BEHIND THE WHEELS WHILE LIFTNG! USE THE 6 JACK POINTS PROVIDED BY BMW!!*
Honestly, the most nerve-wracking part with working on my E90 is actually putting it on 4 jackstands. You're correct about the front point if you have a shorty race lift like that. Its worth it to get the steel 3 ton low profile lift from HF instead of the 2 ton aluminum one (I ended up getting both because the aluminum was great to take with me to the track when I was auto crossing). I also spent the money on the Esco jack stands (which are like $60 each and are high lift pin types, not ratcheting like the ones you and I have). (write up how, below). When I want to lift from the floor and need all 4 points off the floor, I start at the front and put jack stands on lowest setting just to the side of the car, jack from the center point using a hockey puck on the floorjack pad and use my 3 ton steel low profile lift. Parking brake engaged, wheels chocked (rear), lifting slowly to get the jack stands under the jack points on the side, or under the arms as shown. I prefer the jack points to the control arms, but I have used the control arms with a hockey puck (to avoid steel on aluminum) and will try to get the jack stands as close to the bushing as possible or under the bushing if possible, if I must use a control arm placement. Slowly lower your floorjack on to the jack stand pads, making sure that all feet are on the floor before putting all the weight on the stands. Verify that the jack stands are rock solid in place before removing your floorjack from the lift point. Next move to the rear, with the 3 ton low profile floor jack, using the differential body (more towards the front of the diff body, because on E90 and E90 M3 variants, they have an aluminum cooler on the rear, which is too soft for lifting), as your lift point. I also use a hockey puck on this as it allows a little variation on the lift angle, when ascending. Lift slowly, watching the jack stands, so that they stay stable, elevating the differential and then the wheels on to the floorjack. As with the front, have your jackstands at their lowest setting, just to the outside of the side-skirt rear lift points (my preference) or just to the outside of the body, near your subframe bushing mounts. When you reach the proper height, slide your stands into position. Slowly lower your vehicle onto contact with the jackstands, and verify that they are straight, all feet solidly on the ground, and adjust them as needed. Finish lowering your car onto the now solid jack stands. You can leave your floorjack under one of the wheels or under the jack points (differential or center front) for safety, as you prefer.
In the front, those are called Control Arms / Tension Struts. I know this because I just broke the driver's side while lowering the passenger side of the car. I wouldn't recommend using these as jack stand points.
*PSA* : Do NOT put jack stands under that control arm. Horrible advice. I did this on my car and, 6 months later, upon abrupt braking, one control arm broke. 1 year later, the other side broke too. Total cost $1000. Get a proper low profile jack, my friends. DO NOT put the weight of the vehicle on those control arms.
This way you will squash your brains out in .5 seconds. Do not do this. Pull the e brake, block rear tires and jack from the center. A $100 jack from harbor freight will do the job. You can then put jackstands only on the areas recommended. You have some good videos, but take this down before some poor bastard gets hurt. It is so odd you would do this given you are meticulous and right on in so many of your other videos.
I have tried the method on this video for a few times. it brakes my e90 front control arm. luckily i was not under my car. please do not use this method. take your own risk.
I’d rather spend more on a jack that will lift the car from the proper lifting point so that I can place my jack stands than do it this way. I bought my jack at Costco. It’s low enough to go under my wife’s 328i, strong, and goes high enough to lift my Tahoe.
I just got (4) of those jacks you used in the video. With the July 4th HF coupon you can get them for $59 each. I have (4) jackpad adapters. Just use one jack at each BMW jackpoint, the side ones. Once lifted I put a jack stand under the jackpoint at the jackpad point under front center, if needed, depending on the job I am doing.
Show us the video where your control arm due to the stress from the weight of the car, from you using it as a jack point. I like your videos but I'm def not trying this I'm already skeptical about working under my car lmao.
DO NOT JACK YOUR BMW THIS WAY! BMW has a standard procedure for how to safely jack up your car and secure it with jack stands. $200 is nothing compared to your life, you can buy Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack for $186.
If you want your car to fall on you while working on it do this. Now if you don’t die and survive somehow be ready to spend thousands on buying and having control arms installed. If you lift from the front middle even with a small jack the car will not be unstable because of the 2 rear wheels that are still planted on the ground. Like a tricycle.
I have the racing jack but it is not clear to me the jack stand under the jack pucks is safe either and the jack stands don't fit well under them with out a rubber insert. Either the plastic or the rubber could deform and cause it to slip out. The control arm seems like a better idea but it could cause damage. I actually don''t know of a good way to place this car on jack stands. It seems like Ramps are the way to go.
I NEVER put any stress or even touch any suspension parts. No way Jose. M3 parts are too expensive and a pain to install again if they mess up. You looking at replacement parts, and alignment fees.
There are ways to avoid putting any stress on suspension components such as jacking up from the support at the front but I'd be worried about people getting the jack placement wrong and damaging their rad etc. The way I see it is the suspension is under tremendous pressure carrying the weight of the vehicle and during cornering etc. Sticking a jack stand under it will put some pressure on the bushings but they're designed for that.
@@VehicularDIY the suspension arms are under pressure but at the end points where the bushings are. Put tin that much weight anywhere in the middle of the control arm makes it a weak point, and could potentially snap at the point where you place the jackstand
Not sure if this would work on and e90 but on my e82 135i, the chassis is stiff enough that you can jack it up from one of the rear factory side jack pads high enough to get a jack stand under the front jack pad on the same side. Move to the other side of the car and repeat. Then jack up from the rear diff and place jack stands under the rear jack pads. I have never had a problem damaging the lift points, but my jack stands are the ESCO brand and have a flat top with a thick rubber pad on them. Sweet jack stands, I highly recommend them. I have the same harbor freight aluminum floor jack as you and they will twist like that when lifting sometimes, super sketchy!
I'd assume that the E90 is similarly as stiff, when I jacked up the passenger side of the car from the rear it equally lifted up the front. I know I can't use that technique on my E30 that's for sure haha. Thanks for the info, that seems like another decent way to go about it provided you have good quality jack stands like you were saying. Yes on a number of occasions that jack has twisted.
DONT PUT A JACK STAND WHERE SHOWN Theres plenty safe workarounds for jacking up low cars or ones with few dedicated points. In order of safety: Invest in profile trolley jack Drive it onto wooden planks first to give more space for the jack Even using a scissor jack on one side to increase the clearance is better than this There's also millions of threads on thousands of forums from people who need to jack up any car ever made with all conditions considered.
Sound advice they make BMWs difficult to work on so any old joe doesn’t screw it up and if they do it results in BMW earning money in parts and control arms are not safe to support car on there’s a small chance it could snap while you’re under it and that’s not a chance I would take.
As he said, this approach is for DIY'ers. This is not my favourite way to lift the car, but the central front lift point is rubbish and I can't find some chassis side rails, like the E46 has, so you can lift the car from the side and then make it rest it on the jack-stands when you remove the hydraulic lift. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
i have the same floor jack as him and as long as you use common sense and put the jack in straight you wont have the problem he has with it tipping over like his does at 1:41 ... lol smh
This is certainly not advice that I would listen to, this is dangerous. A control arm is NOT a structural component on a car. Use a good quality jack and use the lifting points that the manufacturer has provided.
THIS IS UNSAFE. Seriously, you have a garage ... get a heavy full size 2 or 3 ton floor jack with a 19" or more lift height from Harbor Freight for only $100 and lift at the front center lift point. I would NOT get under car with jack stands on aluminum control arm like shown here ... very dangerous. Lift from center and put jack stands in pairs on the sides under the plastic jack pads, which can be replaced if they get damaged or fall apart ($10 each).
_2020 UPDATE:_
*DO NOT! I REPEAT, DO NOT ATTEMPT WHAT IS SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO. EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND DAMAGING TO YOUR CAR. CONTROL ARMS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO HOLD SUCH WEIGHT. YOUR CAR WILL NOT SWAY OR TIP OVER IF YOU PLACE BLOCKS BEHIND THE WHEELS WHILE LIFTNG! USE THE 6 JACK POINTS PROVIDED BY BMW!!*
Dam for real? This guys repeatable
reputable? lmaooo
@@robertkenney6002
Dude wtf are you doing? Why is this still posted? Jack stands under the control arms? Why??
Honestly, the most nerve-wracking part with working on my E90 is actually putting it on 4 jackstands. You're correct about the front point if you have a shorty race lift like that. Its worth it to get the steel 3 ton low profile lift from HF instead of the 2 ton aluminum one (I ended up getting both because the aluminum was great to take with me to the track when I was auto crossing). I also spent the money on the Esco jack stands (which are like $60 each and are high lift pin types, not ratcheting like the ones you and I have). (write up how, below).
When I want to lift from the floor and need all 4 points off the floor, I start at the front and put jack stands on lowest setting just to the side of the car, jack from the center point using a hockey puck on the floorjack pad and use my 3 ton steel low profile lift. Parking brake engaged, wheels chocked (rear), lifting slowly to get the jack stands under the jack points on the side, or under the arms as shown. I prefer the jack points to the control arms, but I have used the control arms with a hockey puck (to avoid steel on aluminum) and will try to get the jack stands as close to the bushing as possible or under the bushing if possible, if I must use a control arm placement. Slowly lower your floorjack on to the jack stand pads, making sure that all feet are on the floor before putting all the weight on the stands. Verify that the jack stands are rock solid in place before removing your floorjack from the lift point. Next move to the rear, with the 3 ton low profile floor jack, using the differential body (more towards the front of the diff body, because on E90 and E90 M3 variants, they have an aluminum cooler on the rear, which is too soft for lifting), as your lift point. I also use a hockey puck on this as it allows a little variation on the lift angle, when ascending. Lift slowly, watching the jack stands, so that they stay stable, elevating the differential and then the wheels on to the floorjack. As with the front, have your jackstands at their lowest setting, just to the outside of the side-skirt rear lift points (my preference) or just to the outside of the body, near your subframe bushing mounts. When you reach the proper height, slide your stands into position. Slowly lower your vehicle onto contact with the jackstands, and verify that they are straight, all feet solidly on the ground, and adjust them as needed. Finish lowering your car onto the now solid jack stands. You can leave your floorjack under one of the wheels or under the jack points (differential or center front) for safety, as you prefer.
In the front, those are called Control Arms / Tension Struts. I know this because I just broke the driver's side while lowering the passenger side of the car. I wouldn't recommend using these as jack stand points.
*PSA* : Do NOT put jack stands under that control arm. Horrible advice.
I did this on my car and, 6 months later, upon abrupt braking, one control arm broke.
1 year later, the other side broke too.
Total cost $1000. Get a proper low profile jack, my friends. DO NOT put the weight of the vehicle on those control arms.
Don't do what is shown in this video. Just don't do it, trust me.
please elaborate.
Do not place jack stands under suspension arms... Place them under the frame.
Well its only logical that you wouldnt want the weight of your 3000+ lb car on a small ass control arm. The jack points are there for a reason lol
I had my control arm fail driving so I wouldn’t do this
@@xXDarkice and this control arm completely broke off?
This way you will squash your brains out in .5 seconds. Do not do this. Pull the e brake, block rear tires and jack from the center. A $100 jack from harbor freight will do the job. You can then put jackstands only on the areas recommended.
You have some good videos, but take this down before some poor bastard gets hurt. It is so odd you would do this given you are meticulous and right on in so many of your other videos.
I have tried the method on this video for a few times. it brakes my e90 front control arm. luckily i was not under my car. please do not use this method. take your own risk.
Good video, was curious to learn the risks of jack stands in the wrong places on my E90
Why is this video still up?
I’d rather spend more on a jack that will lift the car from the proper lifting point so that I can place my jack stands than do it this way. I bought my jack at Costco. It’s low enough to go under my wife’s 328i, strong, and goes high enough to lift my Tahoe.
I just got (4) of those jacks you used in the video. With the July 4th HF coupon you can get them for $59 each. I have (4) jackpad adapters. Just use one jack at each BMW jackpoint, the side ones. Once lifted I put a jack stand under the jackpoint at the jackpad point under front center, if needed, depending on the job I am doing.
Those who attempt this, without thinking twice, you had it.
Always check the comment section.
Show us the video where your control arm due to the stress from the weight of the car, from you using it as a jack point. I like your videos but I'm def not trying this I'm already skeptical about working under my car lmao.
DO NOT JACK YOUR BMW THIS WAY! BMW has a standard procedure for how to safely jack up your car and secure it with jack stands.
$200 is nothing compared to your life, you can buy Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack for $186.
If you want your car to fall on you while working on it do this. Now if you don’t die and survive somehow be ready to spend thousands on buying and having control arms installed. If you lift from the front middle even with a small jack the car will not be unstable because of the 2 rear wheels that are still planted on the ground. Like a tricycle.
I have the racing jack but it is not clear to me the jack stand under the jack pucks is safe either and the jack stands don't fit well under them with out a rubber insert. Either the plastic or the rubber could deform and cause it to slip out. The control arm seems like a better idea but it could cause damage. I actually don''t know of a good way to place this car on jack stands. It seems like Ramps are the way to go.
I NEVER put any stress or even touch any suspension parts. No way Jose. M3 parts are too expensive and a pain to install again if they mess up. You looking at replacement parts, and alignment fees.
There are ways to avoid putting any stress on suspension components such as jacking up from the support at the front but I'd be worried about people getting the jack placement wrong and damaging their rad etc. The way I see it is the suspension is under tremendous pressure carrying the weight of the vehicle and during cornering etc. Sticking a jack stand under it will put some pressure on the bushings but they're designed for that.
@@VehicularDIY the suspension arms are under pressure but at the end points where the bushings are. Put tin that much weight anywhere in the middle of the control arm makes it a weak point, and could potentially snap at the point where you place the jackstand
Thanks for the vids.... It really helps alot!
Not sure if this would work on and e90 but on my e82 135i, the chassis is stiff enough that you can jack it up from one of the rear factory side jack pads high enough to get a jack stand under the front jack pad on the same side. Move to the other side of the car and repeat. Then jack up from the rear diff and place jack stands under the rear jack pads. I have never had a problem damaging the lift points, but my jack stands are the ESCO brand and have a flat top with a thick rubber pad on them. Sweet jack stands, I highly recommend them.
I have the same harbor freight aluminum floor jack as you and they will twist like that when lifting sometimes, super sketchy!
I'd assume that the E90 is similarly as stiff, when I jacked up the passenger side of the car from the rear it equally lifted up the front. I know I can't use that technique on my E30 that's for sure haha. Thanks for the info, that seems like another decent way to go about it provided you have good quality jack stands like you were saying. Yes on a number of occasions that jack has twisted.
As someone who is doing an oil change on their e82, I thank you!
How many of those front lower arms have you change so far 🤣
You need to change your rear tyres. Your rear alignment needs done.
Great video man. Just bought an E90, and there isn't much DIY videos on these ! You've got another subscriber.
Thanks!
Is that an E30 M3 in the back?
DONT PUT A JACK STAND WHERE SHOWN
Theres plenty safe workarounds for jacking up low cars or ones with few dedicated points. In order of safety:
Invest in profile trolley jack
Drive it onto wooden planks first to give more space for the jack
Even using a scissor jack on one side to increase the clearance is better than this
There's also millions of threads on thousands of forums from people who need to jack up any car ever made with all conditions considered.
Sound advice they make BMWs difficult to work on so any old joe doesn’t screw it up and if they do it results in BMW earning money in parts and control arms are not safe to support car on there’s a small chance it could snap while you’re under it and that’s not a chance I would take.
How do you check for vacuum leaks?
make a video on how to check for vaccum leaks please.
Smoke machine
Thank you. This helps a lot!!!
I wondered about those jack pads- they are plastic and would think would crumble under that stress you put it right on the rubber pad?
Your vids are awesome and very helpful, aaay but this.....
thank you for this. also your coding videos are great keep them coming.
As he said, this approach is for DIY'ers. This is not my favourite way to lift the car, but the central front lift point is rubbish and I can't find some chassis side rails, like the E46 has, so you can lift the car from the side and then make it rest it on the jack-stands when you remove the hydraulic lift. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This video is a prime example of why RUclips needs to restore Dislike button functionality.
Hello, are 3 ton jacks good enough?
Yes
More than enough
Always was so nervous when doing this , I now know I was doing just fine.
Many thanks
Love from uk
Mark
Lol, never ever jack like in this video. You will damage the suspension
Nah he was for real jacking off on this one
Lol where’s the bmw jack pad attachments ? Going to ruin the pads ... or you did
Freddy Scoggan new pads are $25 each from the dealer and even cheaper online... these jack pads were made for this, it’s just not a big deal.
Thought there was gonna be good advice then he said put the jack stand on the control arm. Smh
Dude once I started driving I turned left my control arm broke and started dragging. No man
so the real problem is BMW does not provide front center and rear center jack points.
If you raise via the front support or via the rear differential I find the car isn't well balanced, so I prefer the method shown in this video.
yes they do, the rear subframe right behind the diff, and the stub on the subframe, at least on the e60 it does
i have the same floor jack as him and as long as you use common sense and put the jack in straight you wont have the problem he has with it tipping over like his does at 1:41 ... lol smh
U brave! Good vid., saving $$
This video is terrorism! Jacking up a BMW on a control arm is a really fucked up idea!
This is certainly not advice that I would listen to, this is dangerous.
A control arm is NOT a structural component on a car.
Use a good quality jack and use the lifting points that the manufacturer has provided.
you are doing this wrong my man...should never place jack stands outside of the approved designated areas...come on bro you should know this!!!
My car doesn’t have those supports
They might just be missing, they're called jack pads. You can order new ones and snap them into place.
Bro your gonna break the control arm. I know from experience
In this type of video i would really like to see thumbs down ration, i think theres gonna be a lots of them :D:D
I stopped watching when putting the jack on the control arm....then just read the comments for confirmation! DON'T DO THIS.
Save the $1000 you’re going to spend on your broken control arms from doing this and use that money and buy a quick jack lift instead 😂
I hope that's your car, because it doesn't look like you care for it.
Great video.
Haha damn it... I always put my stands there too. But now I need to replace that control arm and am trying to find where else I can put the stand
Fuckin dumbass, of course your control arm went bad.
OMG what are you doing?
Thank you 😁
I don’t feel bad for anyone that did this lol
What are these points called on the car
They are the jack pads.
Brilliant...
Please do not do this
Don't do in this VDO show, its super risky.
woooahh ppl DO NOT do this. Axle stand under one of the of the front control arms? Are you totally insane?
The first time jacking mines i did with the smaller one i wish i watched this before😭 shit dropped
Lol don’t do that’s shown in this video don’t even think of doing it
THIS IS UNSAFE. Seriously, you have a garage ... get a heavy full size 2 or 3 ton floor jack with a 19" or more lift height from Harbor Freight for only $100 and lift at the front center lift point. I would NOT get under car with jack stands on aluminum control arm like shown here ... very dangerous.
Lift from center and put jack stands in pairs on the sides under the plastic jack pads, which can be replaced if they get damaged or fall apart ($10 each).
Wrong wrong wrong! Dont do this!
Lmao noooooo
your tyres are illegal!
I never jacked the car before but after watching thud video I’m gonna make sure I won’t follow what this guy going in this video